USHL to Get Taste of International Play
June 6, 2007 - United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release
The USHL will get a taste of international competition when they participate in the CCM Junior Classic in Quebec, Canada this fall. The Indiana Ice will join the Omaha Lancers up north in a four-team tournament that also includes the Quebec Remparts and the Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
"CCM Hockey is very excited to be involved with this breakthrough event," John Bissert of CCM said. "The CCM Junior Classic is a long time coming and proves that top level Junior hockey is still alive and well in both the US and Canada. We hope this is just the beginning of more competitive tournaments between the USHL and the CHL." The tournament that is to be held on September 7th and 8th of this fall, will be the first ever meeting between teams from the United States Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
The tournament will serve as a pre-season warm-up for all four teams before their seasons start in October. The Quebec Ramparts are coached and jointly owned by former NHL goaltender Hall of Famer Patrick Roy. "This two-game series will be a new challenge for our team, as it will be the first time that we will play against the USHL teams. We are looking forward to host them in Québec City and we hope that our fans will also appreciate this new experience."
Current Omaha Lancers President/Owner Luc Robitaille is a former CHL Player of the Year and member of the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL.
"The USHL is very excited about the upcoming CCM Junior Classic in Quebec this fall," USHL President Gino Gasparini said. "As America's only Tier One Jr. League, we take great pride in developing players at the next level for college and the NHL. The QMJHL is an outstanding league and we hope that this friendship tourney will open the door for future opportunities that will showcase our leagues in both the US and Canada."
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United States Hockey League Stories from June 6, 2007
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